Apple's iOS 6 Maps app fails to impress, users want Google Maps back

iOS 6 became available to download on Wednesday, and with it came Apple’s brand new Maps app. Unfortunately, the new addition hasn’t gone down too well, and many iOS users are desperate to get Google’s Map app back.

iOS 6 became available to download on Wednesday, and with it came Apple’s brand new Maps app. Unfortunately, the new addition hasn’t gone down too well, and many iOS users are desperate to get Google’s Map app back.

“Apple’s Maps is hugely inferior to Google’s. The lack of Street View is a big loss and 3D only works in city centres,” Lee Jones told us on Twitter.

Those still using older models of the iPhone miss out on some of the new features Apple’s Maps brings, such as 3D Flyover and turn-by-turn navigation.

“Maps disappointing on iPhone 4. Similar to first iteration of Google iOS Maps. Still getting pixelation on zooming, unexpectedly,” said Nick Blakely.

Many users have noticed inaccuracies in Apple’s Maps app, including missing train stations and relocated landmarks. Woolworths, which has long been shut down, seems to have been resurrected in Bethnal Green, according to Apple’s Maps. A 35-acre farm has also been listed as an airfield by Apple.

Other inaccuracies include missing and relocated towns, and buildings in the middle of rivers.

“Knightsbridge (London Underground) – and the ones that are present don’t have clearly identifiable symbols/nice roundels,” wrote Luke Bacon.

“I like Apple Maps more… Don’t know why but I consider them more user-friendly,” said Oleg Baranovskyi.

“Apple Maps work well for me in Surrey & London, I like it… it’s just different and it takes a bit of getting used to,” Ron Mackintosh tweeted.

A fake iOS 6 Maps twitter account, which was swiftly removed by Twitter, tweeted several parody images such as this one:

It’s not just Twitter that’s been flooded with complaints about the new Maps app. Expert reviewers from across the globe have

Macworld contributor Kirk McElhearn wrote on his blog: “Up until yesterday, I would often use the Maps app on my iPhone to find my way, among some of the smaller streets in the town where I’ve only lived since the beginning of the year. But now, when I look at the Maps app, I can’t even see the smaller streets.”

“This is a huge step backward,” he continues. “I hope that Google releases an app of their own, allowing users to access their better-designed maps.”

“Much of Apple’s map data is out of date, inaccurate, low resolution and incomplete,” said the Independent’s Alex Masters.

The Wall Street Journal said: “Apple said that the new Maps “changes the way you see the world.” So far, we don’t see much.”

Boy Genius Reports writes: “Sadly, Apple’s new Maps app is still awful… an unsightly blemish on what is otherwise a beautiful OS, Apple’s new Maps application is enraging users.”

So far, more 50 per cent of the respondents to our poll want Google Maps back, and 12.5 per cent have decided not to update to iOS 6 to avoid Apple’s Maps app. You can vote in our poll by visiting the Macworld homepage.